Dependence on the psychologist? It doesn’t sound like a doable thing, especially since many patients are looking forward to completing the procedure and being discharged, as this represents that they have finally achieved their goal and have the necessary tools to deal with their problems in the future.
But the truth is that there are some patients who, for them, ending psychological therapy represents abandonment and a risk to themselves, because they do not want to face the reality that awaits them outside. They may also cling to therapy because they have developed a kind of crush on their psychologists. How to avoid this? How to get rid of addiction to psychological therapy?
Dependence on the psychologist: why it happens
Generally, it occurs because the patient has some type of emotional dependency disorder or has developed it throughout the therapy, since they have felt confident and, more importantly, sure of what affects them in their environment. For what ends up associating the psychologist and the process as a refuge, for this reason they firmly refuse to leave it.
In most cases, psychologists quickly notice this type of dependent behavior in the early phases of the intervention and work to resolve it or refer them to another professional to avoid future conflicts. But you can also prevent this from happening with the following tips.
Tips to prevent psychological therapy from generating addiction
Become aware of your feelings
In therapeutic work, we always teach our patients to become aware of their feelings and actions, so put this into practice with what psychological therapy makes you feel. Does your heart flutter when you see your psychologist? Do you get butterflies thinking about the session of the week? Does it make you sad or angry when it ends?
If your excitement exceeds the happiness of an achievement, for the happiness of a new encounter, you may be developing an attachment.
Be careful what you think
Dependence is not only generated within the psychological office, but it can stay with you during the development of your daily life, in the form of thoughts, desires, dreams and symbolic manifestations. Take some time and reflect if this is happening to you and if it is affirmative, then it is time to take action on the matter, because you are definitely developing an emotional attachment.
Talk it over with your therapist
The best way to prevent yourself from becoming attached to therapy is to discuss these feelings with your therapist so that they can find the best solution. Keep in mind that this can become a new intervention or a referral to a colleague to avoid misunderstandings and if this happens, do not take it the wrong way, think instead that it is the most beneficial for your progress.
Tell your experience
Despite the fact that the new therapist who is going to see you (if the case results in a referral) already knows about your adherence to therapy, it is recommended that you talk to him about it and focus on resolving that conflict so that he does not return to it. happen. Remember that recognizing a problem is the first step to solving it and improving.
Watch the attitude of your psychologist
As I mentioned before, the psychologist usually perceives the change in the patient’s attitude and acts on it, but you must take into account that dependency can also be generated if your psychologist is more open than he should. So if he or she cares a lot about your personal life, has a caring tone of voice, and acts like a very close friend, I recommend that you stop going with him or her and find another professional.
Suitable roles
Do not be afraid to establish a patient-therapist relationship because that is the key to the proper development of the intervention, you just have to take into account your role as a patient or client (who has a difficult problem to handle and wants to solve) and the role of the psychologist (as a facilitator of the tools you need and an expert in mental health). It is a professional relationship, not a personal one.
Take care of your stability
It is very important that you do not downplay these feelings or consider them as “normal” or “passing”, because dependence on psychological therapy is an indication that you have an emotional attachment problem that can not only manifest itself during therapy, but it can be extrapolated to other areas of your life and bring you conflicts in your future interpersonal and professional relationships.